Constantine Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 Yeah, right... Of course it's another journeyman story... Meet Dusan Nemanjic, Belgrade born, twenty-something immigrant, vagabond, looking for a fresh start and a opportunity to steal a job from honest British working people. Or honest German people. Or French. As long as it put a pizza on the table and beer in the fridge. There are no goals for him to reach. Just to have some fun and see where the road take him. (And to kill some time till next World Cup game and next football season start) No available clubs at the start so we wait untill something opens up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share Posted July 4, 2018 Well, it seems it's after all Brits i'm stealing a job from. And honestly, could've been worse... Happy with Hartlepool. Thank the Gods that Dover and some french clubs whose names i won't even try to spell has rejected me. It seems like a good club, poorly run in recent times, if i'm remembering correctly from couple of articles i've read. Squad seems decent enough although it'll not set the world on fire. Need to do proper evaluation but that will have to wait as i have some family issue to take care of. Finances... I've seen worse, i've managed in worse conditions (spanish lower leagues can be a nightmare) so i don't expect much trouble at this front. Competitions wise, we currently sit 18th in Vanarama National League, got knocked out of FA Cup and still in that tiresome FA Trophy, where we'll play Kidderminster. Board require top half position so we need to pick up some wins and we're there. Tactics wise, i really don't like to complicate much. We'll line up in simple 4-4-2 and go from there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share Posted July 4, 2018 Wow, those first two pics are... Larger than i'd like. Will remember to resize them in the future... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 HARTLEPOOL UNITED First month or so in charge. Things are going really well at the moment. In league, 4 victories, draw and a loss. Infuriating thing is, we dropped points vs teams that are on paper weaker than us. Got through Kidderminster in FA Trophy. So, overall, can't really complain. Transfer window is open again and i expect us to be active here. Squad is larger than i would like so some trimming will be done. That'll also get our wage budget back in black. As for arrivals, i don't really know. If right player become available and we could afford him, why not. Next update will be at the end of the season. I'll shamelessly borrow dafuge's template for writing those reports so i hope he won't mind. Sooo... Let's get back to work. About that trimming... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 "Monkey 'angers!" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 34 minutes ago, Deisler26 said: "Monkey 'angers!" Had to google what that means... Brilliant! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 HARTLEPOOL UNITED 2017./18.[/b] Vanarama National League - We've played amazing at times and rightly sneaked into playoff spots. Dismantled Maidstone in the first round but were too knackered to do anything vs Barrow, who played brilliantly in the first half and went on to win promotion to League 2. FA Cup - This was under previous regime. FA Trophy - Played mixed team in these games. Nevertheless, should've won against Woking but defenders were braindead in that game. Squad - If i can keep this lot together, with some added depth, i suspect we'll take the league by storm next season. Shipley and Hepburn-Murphy must stay!! Will they? Don't know that yet...Transfers - Earned some peanuts but more importantly, now we actually have some wage budget. I've cheekily lowered it by asking a few players to take a pay cut since we were in difficult financial situation and after that i've sold some deadwood. Should be enough to get few decent players in. Finances - In the red but nothing critical... For now. Key players: Jordan Serna - Topped our average ratings list. He's still getting used to english football so i expect few more goals next season. Rushian Hepburn-Murphy - Our top scorer. Jack Munns - Forced to play at the right wing but was utterly brilliant there. Scored a few fk screamers. CAREER SUMMARY Season Club Country League Position Achievements 2017./18. Hartlepool Utd ENG Vanarama National League 6. / Goals for the upcoming season Adding some depth to the squad and going for direct promotion. I feel we can do it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Scott Loach Kenton Richardson Liam Donnelly Scott Harrison Blair Adams Jack Munns Anton Rodgers Conor Newton Jordan Shipley Jordan Serna Rushian Hepburn-Murphy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dllu Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 €20!! Don't spend it all at once! On second thought, you probably should spend them quickly before Brexit makes them worthless... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 I'm saving it for the rainy days Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 I just couldn't forbid him going to Coventry. To League 1. He was brilliant for us but Sky Blues are Sky Blues... And money is nice. Goodbye... May we meet again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 We've done our work quickly and had team ready week or two before first game. Love what i've done here, some big earners are out and we've got more capable replacements on less money. One worry though... Well, kinda. We barely have wingers of our own. There were few players i looked up to but they weren't interested or asked for way too much money. So, without further ado, let's meet the new Monkey Hangers.Theo Archibald - My new first pick for left wing Stuart Moore - Backup for Loach Will Annan - Loanee from Hull will compete v Winchester for right wing role Jonny Burn - Great catch. He'll lead our defense for years to come Easah Suliman - Pakistani/Englishman will take over Richardson's place at rb Callum Chettle - All around midfielder who can play at the right and in the heart of midfieldAlex Samuel - Former Swansey youngster is expected to terrorize defenses at this level Rekeil Pyke - Here for rotation Carl Winchester - Signed after Annan got injured. Look like a great player and he'll perhaps be my first pick for right winger Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 8, 2018 Author Share Posted July 8, 2018 This is... Interesting... I usually get 17 foreign players limit or no changes at all. This is new. We'll see how it will work out. But i already see it's gonna be pain in the a$$ to meet all this criteria. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenzar Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 13 foreign players...ouch! Hope you have a good youth academy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 8, 2018 Author Share Posted July 8, 2018 7 hours ago, Lenzar said: 13 foreign players...ouch! Hope you have a good youth academy. It's gonna be interesting, that's for sure. Anyhow, i don't think this will be that much of a problem, as i prefer working with smaller squads. So as long as i can find 9 decent Englishmen, with those 13 slots, we'll be fine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 HARTLEPOOL UNITED 2018./19. Vanarama National League - Quality wise, we were top half League 2 team playing a level below. And it showed on the pitch. Almost perfect season, with all kind of records being broken on our way to the title. FA Cup - I wanted a strong cup run, since nobody couldn't touch us in the league. Sadly, York had other plans. Fielded our strongest eleven and for reasons unknown to me, we imploded... Badly. FA Trophy - At least we did well here. Squad - Quite pleased with this team. Loads of quality there. Nevertheless, you can expect minimal changes in the next transfer window.Transfers - No changes since last time i showed you. Finances - Really, really good. We'll actually have some money to spend. Key players: Alex Samuel - Our top scorer. And on his day, our best player by mile. He does have odd dud game here and there. Rhys Oates - Backup striker had a season to remember. After Serna's injury he's got to play some more minutes and he was fantastic. Will Annan - Young Scotsman was our best rated player. Which is even more impressive when it's known that his season was plagued by injuries. CAREER SUMMARY Season Club Country League Position Achievements 2017./18. Hartlepool Utd ENG Vanarama National League 6. / 2018./19. Hartlepool Utd ENG Vanarama National League 1. FA Trophy Goals for the upcoming season Keep the core group in the club, replace fringe players and get into top half of League 2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Nice a LLM Career! I must ask what Formation and TI's do you use? I am trying to end my wengeresque reliance on the 4-2-3-1 Wide...….. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 1 hour ago, Hootieleece said: Nice a LLM Career! I must ask what Formation and TI's do you use? I am trying to end my wengeresque reliance on the 4-2-3-1 Wide...….. Thanks mate It really isn't anything special. For PI, all defenders has "tackle harder", bwm "mark tighter" and "shoot less often" while cm has all that plus "close down more". For away matches, i usually drop mentality to counter, untick "use offside traps" and put defensive line on "drop deeper". For wasting time, borrowed a tip from knap, wingbacks with defend duty, contain mentality and waste time on maximum. That's it. Not really tactical mastermind, i usually go for simpler approach and keep my players happy. That's like, 60, 70 % of success in last few FM's. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Scott Loach Easah Suliman Liam Donnelly Jonny Burn Blair Adams Carl Winchester Anton Rodgers Conor Newton Theo Archibald Jordan Serna Alex Samuel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenzar Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Carl Winchester's a damn solid player at that level. Used him a few times myself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 6 hours ago, Lenzar said: Carl Winchester's a damn solid player at that level. Used him a few times myself. Yeah, he's been brilliant. While he might be lacking in physicals, he's technically easily Championship level player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 11, 2018 Author Share Posted July 11, 2018 I've planned to add 3, 4 more players to the last year squad. How did i ended up buying 9 players, i don't really know Will Annan - One of our best players last season. Sadly, out of field for rest of the year. Callum Chettle - Was good for us, versatille player so we've got him on Bosman. Ryan Corrigan - Former City youngster. Boy, isn't he fast?! Harry Lennon - Took a risk with this one, as my scouts told me he's injury prone. Hopefully, i can manage him better as season goes... Josh Bowler - Only new loanee this year. And huge upgrade for left wing. Joe Riley - Good option to haveRandi Goteni - Former Troyes man will boss our midfield Craig Morgan - Bit slowish for my taste but experienced rotational option. Can't go wrong with that. Harry Cornick - Replacement for poor Annan, signed after his untimely demise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagicHat Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 Cornick becomes quite good, i had him on a LLM game before, think i was bradford PA. Nice little squad you've got, whats your plans for the season? Consolidate, aim for playoffs and automatic promotion will be a bonus? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 11, 2018 Author Share Posted July 11, 2018 54 minutes ago, MagicHat said: Cornick becomes quite good, i had him on a LLM game before, think i was bradford PA. Nice little squad you've got, whats your plans for the season? Consolidate, aim for playoffs and automatic promotion will be a bonus? Pretty much, yes. I've scouted top 10 media predicted teams and bar Crewe, Accrington and Bristol Rovers, we're better than anyone else. Samuel-Serna pairing might make huge difference as i can't see anyone having better strike force. Our media prediction vary between fourth and seventh place but i really expect us in top 5. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 12, 2018 Author Share Posted July 12, 2018 Didn't see this coming. I've applied, of course, but i won't hold my breath. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 12, 2018 Author Share Posted July 12, 2018 The plot thickens... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 12, 2018 Author Share Posted July 12, 2018 Expected that... Still, i'm a little bit disappointed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 12, 2018 Author Share Posted July 12, 2018 Should've hired me... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 13, 2018 Author Share Posted July 13, 2018 HARTLEPOOL UNITED 2019./20. Sky Bet League 2 - Well, that was easier than expected... FA Cup - Fantastic. Can't really complain for exit v Reading although it is a little bit disappointing since we eliminated two PL teams before them. Carabao Cup - Stoke was too strong for us. Checkatrade Trophy - Not much bothered by this.Squad - Boys were outstanding this year.Transfers - Board accepted offer for Corrigan and McDonald was the best i could get at deadline day. He is decent though. Finances - Looking great. But our wage budget will take a hit, as i have to extend more than a few contracts. Key players: Jordan Serna - His first injury free season. And he finally started to play as well as i know he can. Harry Cornick - Decent debut season for him, as he topped our assist chart. Carl Winchester - Our top rated player. He might leave though, as he often complained about lack of play time. CAREER SUMMARY Season Club Country League Position Achievements 2017./18. Hartlepool Utd ENG Vanarama National League 6. / 2018./19. Hartlepool Utd ENG Vanarama National League 1. FA Trophy 2019./20. Hartlepool Utd ENG Sky Bet League 2 1. / Goals for the upcoming season As we played and defeated PL and CH sides... F*** it. Let's keep these boys together and go for another promotion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 13, 2018 Author Share Posted July 13, 2018 Scott Loach Easah Suliman Craig Morgan Jonny Burn Kris Owens Harry Cornick Anton Rodgers Randi Goteni Theo Archibald Jordan Serna Alex Samuel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenzar Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Getting to the 6th round in FA Cup means your stock is rising! The offers will come in soon! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 13, 2018 Author Share Posted July 13, 2018 1 hour ago, Lenzar said: Getting to the 6th round in FA Cup means your stock is rising! The offers will come in soon! You, sir, were absolutely right. New job offer. Recently relegated from Premier League, decent looking albeit kinda oldish squad... I've attended interview. But have to go to work soon, so their response will have to wait till tonight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 14, 2018 Author Share Posted July 14, 2018 They came back with an offer i couldn't refuse. A bit sad for leaving Hartlepool, but this is a chance a couldn't pass up. Premier League club, relegated to Championship. With a really good squad for the level we're going to be but... Some players don't want to take that journey with us. And that's ok. Love me some rebuild Club // Facilities // Squad // League Table // Finances Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 14, 2018 Author Share Posted July 14, 2018 This was very long transfer window... And exhausting as hell. I've shipped away most of those who didn't want to stay for next season but few of them are kept. They're throwing a fit at the moment but when window closes, hopefully they'll stop bitching. Overall, i think i did a good job. Most of these were transfer listed hence discount prices. Might sign few more kids, as board want players for future but that'll have to wait as we're under transfer embargo because of possible takeover. That's a story for another day... Didier Ndong - Proven player for this level. Javi Ontiveros - Had him on some previous save of mine. For this price, absolute bargain. Borja San Emeterio - Decent option to have for rb position. Sullay Kaikai - Homegrown backup. Fede Cartabia - On my Valencia save few years back, he was pain in the a** to manage. But still, fantastic player. Ryan Bennett - Experienced, CH proven, English. Luke Garbutt - Leeds academy graduate will be our starting left back. Really struggled to find half decent player on this position who wanted to join us. Declan Rice - Another one for homegrown quota. Looking really good, can cover both cd and bwm role. Jared Rose - Southampton keeps pumping out those quality left backs... Danilo Cataldi - After losing both Dale Stephens and Josh Vela, i had to get some all around midfielder. He's the best i could get. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 Transfers // Update OUT Few more players sold for combined 50+ mill. Really wanted to keep Pasalic but he kept complaining, got himself injured two times during preseason so i shipped his a** off. HSV came with really good offer for Morelos. He's great player but money was good and i wanted to bring young striker from Uruguay who looked amazing for his age. It was no brainer. IN Direct replacements for players sold + keeper prospect. Rondineli Basso - Great looking playmaker. Most expensive player i've bought so far as i activated his release clause. Ricardo Costa - Uruguaian striker i told you about. Brilliant for his age, either footed, what's not to like...Renato Machado - Promising keeper who'll spend this season in reserves and take over as backup next year.Raad Muhammed - San Emeterio is promoted to first XI and this guy will be his replacement. Decent, strong, already international and can run till tomorrow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 Misses more than imperial stormtrooper... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 17, 2018 Author Share Posted July 17, 2018 Tight!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 21, 2018 Author Share Posted July 21, 2018 Not played much FM these days. Got Boardwalk Empire box set and simply couldn't shut it down. Finished first season last night, brilliant series so far. Anyway, FM... Fired it up hour ago. Finally, after months and months of speculation, it happened. Meh And we become PLC... Not familiar with that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 21, 2018 Author Share Posted July 21, 2018 Transfers // Update OUT So... Welbeck is out too. Bloody bastard kept complaining and complaining. Got sick of him and shipped him to Liverpool. Didn't want to sell Izguierdo but he wanted first team football and i couldn't give him that. Norwood was awful, getting sent off match after match. When i found Portugese Kante, he had to go. IN More youngsters as we keep building for the future. Callum Gribbin - At this point, rotational option. Didn't develop as well as he could but he's still young, English. I'll give him some play time and see how he does. Guilherme Marques - Brilliant looking defensive midfielderFranck Nimaga - Promising striker who's already getting compared to a legend that is Raul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 22, 2018 Author Share Posted July 22, 2018 BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION 2020./21. Sky Bet Championship - Board expected swift return to the riches of Premier League and we delivered. FA Cup - 6th round again. Easily dispatched Millwall, surprised Tottenham, did enough to win v Swansea and then we got destroyed by Bobby Firmino, who scored all 4 goals for City. Carabao Cup - Business as usual till we fell apart in extra time v Wolves. Squad - A whole new Seagulls. Krul, Ryan, Shawcross, Roberts and Pereira are all that is left from Brighton of old. These boys took their time untill they learned to play together but since then they were absolutely unstoppable. Transfers - Lot of business done as we rejuvenated whole squad. Next window, we'll do some fine tuning but not much else. Proper left back is a must. Shawcross's contract expires and i'll sell Perreira most likely. Don't want to but he get injured more than Jack Wilshere. Finances - Noice Key players: Viktor Gyokeres - Brought him back from loan at Malme to be a backup but... A season to remember for young Swede. Andreas Pereira - When he's healthy, he's hands down our best player. Ricardo Costa - Luis Suarez got himself a heir. Fantastic debut season. Wanted to give him a raise but for some reason, he think we're below his level. It's a good thing that we have him tied till 2025. CAREER SUMMARY Season Club Country League Position Achievements 2017./18. Hartlepool Utd ENG Vanarama National League 6. / 2018./19. Hartlepool Utd ENG Vanarama National League 1. FA Trophy 2019./20. Hartlepool Utd ENG Sky Bet League 2 1. / 2020./21. Brighton ENG Sky Bet Championship 1. / Goals for the upcoming season Survive! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 22, 2018 Author Share Posted July 22, 2018 BEST XI Mathew Ryan Borja San Emeterio Ryan Shawcross Ryan Bennett Luke Garbutt Javi Ontiveros Rondinelli Basso Guilherme Marques Andreas Pereira Viktor Gyokeres Ricardo Costa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 Now that your at Brighton and returned to the Premier League any chance of trying "innovative" tactics to avert relegation? By "innovative" I mean something other than a 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 Wide or 4-3-3. If so please show formation, roles, and TI's? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 No, i don't think so. I'm usually "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" guy so i'll keep going forward with 442. Finally done with work after few very long days so i can get back to FM today. Transfer window has begun and we'll try to strengthen our side before PL debut. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 I've actually extended his contract after season ended but when transfer window opened, PSG came with silly money i just had to accept. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 Baptism by fire... And it went as well as could've been expected. Could ended up much worse though, as United should have put few more past us. This score flatter us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 Transfer Window OUT Got offers i couldn't refuse for Pereira and Gyokeres. And while they were great for us, both of them weren't that hard to replace. Krul was always going after last season as i wanted to give Machado a chance. Bennett is getting older, his contract is expiring next year and nobody wanted to buy him. So i've loaned him to Villa while cheekingly adding mandatory buyout clause of 5m. Cataldi has gone back home and if Sampdoria is pleased with him, they have a option to get him permanently for 12m. Didn't really needed to sell him but i wanted to give our own graduate some play time. He's going to be as decent backup as any. IN Only six arrivals as i felt it'll be enough for a decent PL debut campaing. Josh Earl - LB option i've arranged back in february. Kacper Przybyla - Fantastic looking Polish wonderkid. Already an international. Beaten Arsenal and PSG for his signature. Jamaal Lascelles - Brought in to fill void left by Showcross's exit. Tosin Adarabioyo - Hasn't developed at all as much as he could. I've seen him in previous saves and he was usually brilliant. Hopefully he can improve a bit with us. Ryan Kent - Homegrown, either footed, can play on both wings, can improve in the future. For this money, no brainer. Pedro Marques - When it was clear that Gyokeres was leaving, i've scoured transfer listed players and found this gem. Looks fantastic, complete striker with room to improve. He might be a steal of my career so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 Bobby Manc, in the immortal words of one Shawn Spencer... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share Posted July 28, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.